Elevator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. N. JUDSON.

ELEVATOR.

No. 476,387. Patented June 7,1892.

(No Model.) 7 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. N. JUDSON.

- ELEVATOR. No 476,387. Patented June 7,1892.

Wiiwwoay I 5 V6 5444) 214 600 Utv'rren STATES ATENT Erica.

CHARLES N. JUDSON, OF BROOKLYN, NE'W YORK.

ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,387, dated June *7, 1892. Application filed October 3, 1891. Serial No. 407.600. (No model.)

To all whom it mayponcern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES N. JUDSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement for Closing the Gates or Doors to Elevator Shafts and Cars, of which the following is a specification.

It is well known that elevator shafts and cars are a great source of danger to the public from the fact that through the negligence or carelessness of the attendant or through faulty construction the doors or gates of such shafts or cars are either left open or are permitted to open by the action of gravity while the elevator-car is in motion and away from a landing'place, and thereby persons are permitted to fall through the shaft and either killed or badly injured.

The object of inyinvention is to insure the closing of such doors or gates by means of the ordinary controlling device of the elevator and intermediate connections without additional attention or movement on the part of the attendant.

In order to accomplish the object of myinvention, I preferably place in the basement orcellar of the building in which the elevator is located and conveniently near the operating device of the elevator a vacuum-pump, which is so connected by means of one or more vacuum chambers and pipes with several cylinders, pistons, pistoirrods, and levers, respectively located immediately adjacent to each of the several doors through the length of the shaft, as to close any door in the shaft or car that may be open whenever the controlling device of the elevator is manipulated to cause the elevator to rise or descend, as the case may be.

In the accompanyingdrawings, A, Figure 1, represents the inside of an ordinary elevatorshaft, which is shown as extending from the basement through three stories of the building with the elevator-car (not shown) in supposed position at the first floor above the basement, and B the ordinary sliding door or gate, which at that floor is represented as standing open to admit passengers, but in the act of closing with the start of the elevator.

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively drawings in detail of a portion of the vacuum-pipe J with sectional views of the three-way cock in the basement and of one of the three-way cocks at an opening in the shaft with a gate-cylinderand its piston head and rod and gate-lever attachment as respectively positionedFig. 2 when the gate is open and the car at rest and Fig. 3 when the gate is closed and the carin motion.

Fig. 4 is a drawing showing the application of the same device to the door of the car in the same elevatonshaft, in which the several parts are the same and operated in the same way, save that there is but one cylinder, piston head and rod, lever, and door, and the pipe J is made of some flexible material and fastened to the car, so as to move up and down with it. C is an ordinary controlling-rope passing through the elevator, by means of which the attendant operates the motor-valve, causing the elevator to rise or descend, as may be desired, by means of the shifting device D.

In the several drawings, a is a two-way cock located in the pipe F between the vacuum-chamber and the secondary vacuumchamber, and a is a three-way cock located in the pipe J just above the secondary vacurim-chamber.

E is a lever connecting the operating device D with the t-Wo-waycock a and by means of the extension-lever E with the three-way cock a these two cocks being so adjusted in relation to each other that when the lever E is moved by the shifting device D so as to open a passage by means of the cock afrom the vacuum-chamber to the secondary vacuum-chainber it shall at the same time, by means of the extension-lever E, close the passage in the three-way cock aim the pipe J to the secondary vacuum-chamber and at the same time open a passage from the pipe J above the three-Way cock to the atmosphere through the side pipe 0, and, on the other hand, when the shifting device D is operated to close the passage to in the pipe F"it shall open the passage from the secondary vacuumchamber SVG through the three-way cock a into the pipe J and close the passage into 0.

K is a cylinder, one of which is located adjacent to each of the doors in the elevatorshaft, having a piston-head L, which acts, by

means of a piston-lever and the lever M when attached to the door, in a well-known way to close any open door when the piston-head is drawn toward the pipe J by means of the vacuum. Each of the doors of the elevatorshaft has a latch and hasp, by means of which said doors are held closed, and can only be operated to release the door by the elevatorattendant or by akey from the outside of the shaft.

V is a weightadjusted to draw back the door when the latch is raised, but which weight is overcome by the power of the vacuum when the operating device is used to set the elevator-car in motion.

J is a pipe running from the secondary vacuum-chamber through each landing or floor of the building adjacent to the shaft. In this pipe J, at each of the landings or stories of the shaft and conveniently near the shaftdoors, Iplace three-way cocks I). These three way cocks Ishallhereinafter describe, merely mentioning here that in its normal position each forms a part of the main pipe J and at the same time a passage to the cylinder K to permit the exhaust to act upon each of the pistonsin the several cylinders in closing any door that may be open.

At each landing or floor and conveniently close to the shaft-gate I place an air-tight cylinder K, open to the pipe J through the three-way cock and having a piston-head L, having hinged to it at its outer side a pistonrod whose farther end is in turn hinged to a lever M, which operates to close the shaftdoor when the pistonhead is at or near its extremeinner reach of stroke in a well-known way.

The three-way cocks at the several landings or floors, of which I have spoken, in their normal position cause the secondary vacuumchamber to create a vacuum throughout the pipe J and in each of the cylinders. The pipe J is closed at its upper end.

Then it is desired for the purpose of re pairs or the like to have any one of the shaft doors or gates open during the use of the elevator, a quarter-turn is given to the threeway cock at that particular door, so that the secondary vacuum-chamberand pipeJ arecut oif from the cylinder immediately in connection with it and from all that are above it in the shaft, and the exhaust acts only upon the doors that are below. It will also be seen that the three-way cock connecting the secondary vacuum-chamber with the pipe J is so adjusted to the operating device that when the car is stopped by this device the threeway cock is closed to the vacuum-chamber, but is open to the airthrough the pipe 0, thus allowing the free movement of the pistonheads either by the hand of the operator unlatching the door and pushing the door back or by the action of the weight \V when the door has been unlatched by the operator.

The operation of my device is as follows: The elevator-car being supposed to be in the shaft positioned to allow passengers to leave the elevator at the open door on any floor, the elevator may be started by the attendant in either direction without remembering to close the door. The movement of the controlling device for the elevator-car will then close the two-way cook a between the vacuum-chamber and the secondary vacuum-chamber, so that the vacuum-pump shall continue to exhaust from the main vacuum'chamber. At the same movement the three-way cook a between the secondary vacuum-chamber and the pipe J is opened, so as to connect the secondary vacuum-chamber with the exhaustpipe J by means of the three-waycock. The action of the exhausted vacuu m-chamber will then act to exhaust the pipe J and at the same time each of the cylinders K, so as to draw the piston-heads L up to its inner reach. The action of the piston-head will then,through the lever M, close the door, which will be antomatically fastened by the latch and hasp. The same will be the case with every open door in the series. hen the attendant wishes to stop the elevator-car and open a door, he operates the valve-rope, which stops the car and opens the valve between the vacuum chamber and the secondary vacuum-chamber and at the same time closes the valve between the secondary vacuum-chamber and the exhaust-pipe J and opens the exhaust-pipe J to the air through the pipe 0.

The operation of my device in closing the door of the elevator-car itself is substantially the same as its operation in closing the doors of the shaft, as heretofore described. hen the attendant operates the controlling device C for starting the car, he closes the passage between the vacuum-chamber and the secondary vacuum-chamber through the two-way cook a and at the same time opens the passage a from the secondary vacuuin chamber into the exhaust-pipe J. The er;- haust will then operate in case the car-door be open to close the door, in which position it will be fastened by means of its latch and hasp.

Then the operator stops the elevator, the movement of the shifting pulley or member D, through the levers E and E, closes the passage to the exhaust-pipe J and opens a passage from the pipe J to the air at c and at the same time opens the passage from the vacuum-chamber to the secondary vacuumehamber through the two-way cook a. This action relieves the cylinder and piston at the car from the exhaust and allows the door to be opened by the hand or by the action ofthe small weight TV.

It will be understood that the secondary vacuum-chamber SVC is not absolutely necessary in my invention in cases where there is only one shaft and car, although it is preferable, since the pipeJ may connect direct with the vacuum-chamber VG through the threeway cock a and accomplish the object of my invention, the secondary vacuum-chamber shown being used simply as an exhaust storage-reservoir; but in cases where there is more than one elevator car and shaft it is preferable that there should be as many secondary vacuum'chambers as there are elevator shafts and cars to be operated, so that each secondary chamber, three-way cock, and lever can be applied to each shaft and its elevator, and by the described means be operated by one vacuum pump and chamber to close the doors in each elevator shaft and car throughout the building, or communicable with said vacuum pump and chamber.

It will be understood that my invention is capable of being adapted for effective operation by the use of any pneumatic fluid, such as compressed air, a vacuum system, steam, or gas, as preferred.

The matter herein disclosed but not claimed is claimed in my application for Letters Patent, Serial No. SDOQGOF filed April 29, 1891.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a device for controlling the car, of one or more doors, a vacuum-engine connected with each of said doors and operating the same to close it, said vacuum-engine connected with and governed by the said car-controlling device and serving upon moving the controlling device to close said door or doors.

2. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a device for controlling the car, of one or more doors and individual mechanism for actuating each of said doors to close it, a vacuum-pipe connected with each of said mechanisms, and a vacuum-chamber connected with said pipe, the connection between said vacuum chamber and pipe being governed by said carbontrolling device, whereby any open door may be automatically closed.

3. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a device for controlling the car, of one or more doors, an individual vacuum-cylinder for each door, provided with a piston connected with the door for closing the same, a vacuum-pipe connected with each of said cylinders, and a vacuumohamber connected with said pipe, the connec tion between said vacuum-chamber and pipe being governed by said car-controlling device, whereby upon moving the said device any open door may be automatically closed.

4. The combination, with an elevator-oar and the door of the car, of a controlling device for starting and stopping the car and traveling connections intermediate said carcontrolling device and said door, whereby upon moving said controlling device the door may be automatically closed.

5. The combination, with an elevator-car and the door of the car, of a controlling device for the c r, a pneumatic device having a traveling connection for operating the said door to close the same, said pneumatic device being governed by the said car-controlling device, whereby upon moving said controlling device the door may be automatically closed.

6. The combination, with an elevator-car and the door of the car, of a controlling device for the car, apneumatic cylinder having a piston connected with said door and acting to close the same, a pneumatic pipe having a traveling connection with said cylinder, and a pneumatic chamber connected with said pipe, the connection between said pneumatic chamber and pipe being governed by said car-controlling device, whereby upon moving said controlling device the door maybe automatically closed.

7. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car, of a pneumatic engine for closing the doors, comprising a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber connected together and provided with valves arranged so that when the secondary chamber is in communication with the pneumatic connection controlling the doors the said main chamber is cut off therefrom, and Vice versa, and means for controlling the movement of said valves.

8. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a controlling device for the car, of one or more doors, a pneumatic device for closing the doors and comprising a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber connected with each other and provided with valves and connections intermediate said valves and the controlling device of the elevator-car, whereby upon starting the car by manipulating said controlling device the secondary chamber may be out 01f from the main and placed in communication with the pneumatic connections controlling the doors, and upon manipulating said controlling device to stop the car the said secondary chamber may be cut off from the said pneumatic connections controlling the doors and placed in communication with the said main chamber.

9. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and acar and acoutrolling device for the car, of one or more doors, a pneumatic cylinder for each door, provided with a piston connected therewith and acting to close the door, a main and a secondarypneumatic chamber connected with each other, and pipe connections intermediate the secondary chamber and each of said pneumatic cylinders, valves controlling the connection between the said chambers and the connection between the said secondary chamber and pneumatic engine for closing the same and comprising a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber connected together and the secondary one connected with the door-operating mechanisms, a valve controlling the connection between the secondary chamber and the said door-operating mechanisms and a valve controlling the connection between the main and secondary chambers, a wheel or rocking member actuated by said car-controlling device, and connections between the two said valves and the said wheel or rocking member, whereby the movements of the valves may be simultaneously controlled, for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and a car, of one or more doors and a pneumatic device for closing the same, a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber connected together, said secondary chamber connected with the said pneumatic device operatin g the doors, such connections being provided with an exhaust or vent, and a threeway valve adapted to connect the said secondary chamber with the said connection and cut it off from the exhaust and to connect the said exhaust with the said connection and cut it oif from the said secondary chamber, and a valve controlling the connections between the two said chambers and operated simultaneously with the said first valve, and means for operating said valves, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and a car and a controlling device for the car, of one or more doors, each provided with a vacuum-cylinder K, having a piston L, connected with the door and acting to close the same, a vacuum-chamber and a pipe connection J intermediate the chamber and the cylinder K, and a valve controlling the connection between the same, and connections between said car-controlling device and said valve, whereby upon starting the car the said valve may be opened, for the purpose set forth.

13. The con1bination,with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a controlling device for the car, of one or more doors, each provided with a vacuum-cylinder K, having a piston Lfor closing the door, a vacuum-chamber, and a pipe J, connecting the chamber with said cylinder, said connection J being provided with an exhaust or vent c, a three-way valve a, controlling the connections between the exhaust, the pipe J, and the said vacuumchamber, and connections intermediate said car-controlling device and said valve a for operating the valve, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a controlling device for the car, of one or more doors, a pneumatic device for closing the door, a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber having an intermediate pipe connection F provided with a valve ct, the pipe J, intermediate the said cylinder K and the said secondary chamber and provided with an exhaust c, and a three-way valve a, controlling the connection between pipe J, the exhaust, and the said secondary chamber, and connections intermediate said car-controlling device and the two said valves a and a, for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a controlling device for the car, of a vacuum-cylinder K for each door, provided with a piston L, connected with the door and acting to close the same, a main vacuum-chamber V0 and a secondary vacuum-chamber SVC, having intermediate pipe connection 13" provided with a valve a, a pipe J, connecting the said cylinders K and the said secondary chamber and provided with a valve a, and connections intermediate said car controlling device and the two said valves a and a, whereby the said valves may be simultaneously operated, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. The combination, with an elevator comprising a shaft and car and a controlling device for the car, of a pneumatic system for closing the doors and comprising a main and a secondary pneumatic chamber connected together by pipe F, provided with a valve a, a pipe J, connecting the secondary chamber with the pneumatic devices for operating the doors and provided with a valve a, a wheel or rocking member D, operated by said car-controlling device, and connections E and E, intermediate said valves a and a and the said member D, substantially as and for the pnrpose set forth.

17. The combination, with an elevator-car and the door of the car, provided with a vacuum-cylinder K, having a piston L connected with the door and acting to close the same, of a vacuum-chamber and a pipe connection J, intermediate the same and the cylinder K, and a valve controlling the connection between the same, a controlling device for the elevator-car, and connections between the same and the said valve, whereby upon starting the car said valve may be opened, for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES N. JUDSON.

Witnesses:

JOHN FITZGERALD, A. M. HAYES.

IIO 

